Posted by Joe Rogers on February 23, 2010 at 11:48 AM
It is always a sad thing to read about the death of someone who shares our love of the wilderness, but it also reinforces the danger involved. I read this on the Central Region Forum which I follow along with this one since every year I photograph in both Rocky Mountain and Central. I will post the link and encourage you to read it: Hiker/Photographer Dies In Boen Gulf (Ozarks)
All of us have had close calls and injuries on the trail. That is the natue of what we do and all you can do is be as prepared as plossible and let someone know where you are going. Last fall another very experience photographer in the Central area fell at a waterfall and spent eight hours in the water before rescuers reached him. After extensive surgeries and recovery he is back out. He probably would have died too if not for his Spot....right after the incident I bought one and would not venture out without it.
Be safe,
Joe Rogers
Sorry, I dont know how to make the link hot, so just go to the Central Region of this forum and read. JR
Posted by Paul DeCesare on February 23, 2010 at 12:44 PM
Yikes, how sad. I saw that someone in Central posted a link, so here it is if you want to get to the story quickly. It's a news site, not sure how long the link will be good.
Joe, thanks for the post... unfortunate that an event had to happen to remind us to be very careful.
Posted by Mark Rewald on February 23, 2010 at 5:53 PM
Joe can you explain what a "Spot" is?
"He probably would have died too if not for his Spot....right after the incident I bought one and would not venture out without it. "
Thanks!
Posted by Joe Rogers on February 23, 2010 at 7:00 PM
Mark,
This is the SpotAssist, a GPS unit that on your activation notifies emergeny or 911 responders that you are in trouble and need help. They advertise that it works where cell phones wont, however, you do need clear sky above you. The unit runs from $50 to $100 depending on any specials they are running. I think their new model is currrently on hold due to bugs needing to be worked out. The Spot requires you to puchase a yearly service for activation. One level of service even lets your family track you on their home computer.
Joe Rogers
Posted by Nathan Keen on February 28, 2010 at 3:07 AM
My brother has one of the SPOT trackers and I have used it every time I go up to visit. And from the experience I've had with it its a great investment. We have never had any problems with it and I think that anyone that spends a lot of time in the back country alone should have one. The nice thing about it is if you do hurt yourself or something happens you press the "emergency" button and supposedly the responders can get to you much faster than with any other device.
Really a nifty piece of technology and for the price you cant really argue.
Discussion
4 repliesAll of us have had close calls and injuries on the trail. That is the natue of what we do and all you can do is be as prepared as plossible and let someone know where you are going. Last fall another very experience photographer in the Central area fell at a waterfall and spent eight hours in the water before rescuers reached him. After extensive surgeries and recovery he is back out. He probably would have died too if not for his Spot....right after the incident I bought one and would not venture out without it.
Be safe,
Joe Rogers
Sorry, I dont know how to make the link hot, so just go to the Central Region of this forum and read. JR
Joe, thanks for the post... unfortunate that an event had to happen to remind us to be very careful.
"He probably would have died too if not for his Spot....right after the incident I bought one and would not venture out without it. "
Thanks!
This is the SpotAssist, a GPS unit that on your activation notifies emergeny or 911 responders that you are in trouble and need help. They advertise that it works where cell phones wont, however, you do need clear sky above you. The unit runs from $50 to $100 depending on any specials they are running. I think their new model is currrently on hold due to bugs needing to be worked out. The Spot requires you to puchase a yearly service for activation. One level of service even lets your family track you on their home computer.
Joe Rogers
Really a nifty piece of technology and for the price you cant really argue.